On 07/15/2012 10:41 AM, Wolfgang Bornath wrote:
2012/7/15 Goh Lip<[email protected]>:
Clever preacher. I too was wondering why when diplomats (who speak good
English) talk to other diplomats from English-speaking countries, they need
to speak in their native language and use interpreters; I used to think they
wanted the extra time (while interpreters do their jobs) to carefully 'word
out' their responses or/and speak their native language just to demonstrate
their nations' sovereignty; neither of these reasons seems justifiable.
A professional interpreter I know who often works in this field of
high level political talks (for the German government) explained it to
me: it is for both reasons, first giving the politcian the security of
having a professional translation (in case he overheard something),
second to have time to contemplate what the other one is really saying
between the lines and finding the right answer. But he also told me
that the important conversations are often held in private, without
any secretary or interpreter. :)
Good information, now I have better understanding.
Cheers - Goh Lip
--
Wisdom is not communicable. The wisdom which a wise man tries to
communicate always sounds foolish... Knowledge can be communicated, but
not wisdom.
~ Hermann Hesse
